Jacob H.
Reports state the 190 meter long, 57001 dwt bulk carrier Jacob H (IMO: 9452634) ran aground in the Gulf of Gabon while loading cargo near Libreville, Gabon. The bulk carrier was loading a cargo of 52,000 tons of manganese ore when struck bottom. The vessel requested assistance from a local private pilot which was able to refloat the vessel. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
News accounts stated the Jacob H left port on the night of November 6 failing to pay the pilot and following navigation rules requiring a vessel to be guided out of port by a pilot. Details of the incident are not clear as the Jacob H declared it had all the necessary paperwork to leave port. There was some speculation that the master of the bulk carrier received an extremely costly bill for the refloating and that was the reason for the vessel to leave during the night.